Shiite politicians agree on PM candidate

Published April 21st, 2006 - 17:47 GMT

Senior Shiite politicians decided Friday to nominate Jawad al-Maliki as prime minister, replacing the incumbent in an effort to pave the way for a lon

Senior Shiite politicians decided Friday to nominate Jawad al-Maliki as prime minister, replacing the incumbent in an effort to pave the way for a long-delayed new government, two Shiite officials said. Al-Maliki is a top ally of outgoing Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the AP reported.

Leaders of the seven parties that form the Shiite alliance agreed on al-Maliki's nomination "by consensus" in a meeting Friday evening, said Jalal Eddin al-Sagheer, a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the largest party in the alliance. A second Shiite politician confirmed the decision.

The Shiite nominee is to be presented to a session of parliament on Saturday.